The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-28
CHAPTER XIV.
AETER THE CApTuRE.

the author Of the abduction, of which ne now
took personal charge.
It was indeed Texar, and with HIM were half
q dozen accompiices.
For some time he had been planning this ex-
petition, which had for its object the devasta-
ton of Candles Bay, the pillage of Castle
House. the ruin of the Burbank family, and the
capture death of it's head 1t was with this
In view that he had launched his horde OF pill
layers to the plantation. But he had not put
himself at their head; he had left the task OF
leading them to a few of the most violent OF his
partisans, and hence John Bruce was right when
he assured James Burbank that Texar was not
among the assailants.
Texar was aware of the existence OF the tun-
mel between Castle House and the creek. If the
house was captured the defenders would evident
ly try to escape down the tunnel. Taking
boat from Jacksonville, and followed by another
boat with Squarlbo and two of his slaves. he had
come to the creek to watch. He was not mis-
taken. That he saw at once when he found one
of the Candles Bay boats stationed among the
reeds The blacks in charge OF it were surprised,
attacked, and strangled. All that had then to
be done was to wait Soon Zermah appeared,
and with her the little girl. Fearing that help
might come in answer to Zermah's shouts, the
$1,000 -@~'
aud when Mrs. Burbank and Alice appeared on
the bank Zermah was being carried off to the
middle of the river in the Indians boat.
We know the rest
When the prisoners were secured, Texar did
not think it necessary to accompany Squambo,
who was entirely devoted to him, and knew
where to take Zermah and by, and when the
three cannon shots recalled the assailants from
storming Castle House, he had struck off
obIiouely across the ST. Johns, and disap-
peared.
Where had he comet No one knew. He did
not return to Jacksonville during the night of
the Sd and 4th of March, for twenty-four
hours afterward. What was the meaning OF
this strange absence, which he took no trouble
70 explain No could tell. But it would
be a somewhat compromising circumstance
should ne be charged with carrying off by and
Zermah The coincidence between the abduc-
ton and his disappearance could cot but tell
against him. Nevertheless he did not return
20 Jacksonville till the morning of the 9Th to
take the necessary measures for the defense OF
the town-in time enough, however, to lay the
snare for Gilbert Burbank, and preside at the
committee which sentenced the young officer to
death.
One thing was certain, and that was that
Texar was not in the boat with Sauambo. which
was carried off into the gloom by the rising
tide.
Zermah, knowing that her shouts would not
be heard on the deserted banks of the St Johns
was silent She sat in the stern with Dyin Lar
arms. The child was quite frightened, and ut
tered not a single complaint. She chung to the
half breeds breast, and hid herself in the folds
of her mantle. Once twice only did few
words escape her lips.
Mammal Mammal Good Zermah, L am
afraid 1 am afraid want to see mamma"
Eyes, my DEAR" answered Zermah, I'VE shall
see her. Never fear; am near you"
AT the same moment, Mrs. Burbank had run
along the right bank of the stream, and was
seeking in vain to follow her daughter she
was borne away to the opposite side.
The darkness was then profound. The fires
on the estate had begun to subside. but not
without several explosions. From the heavy
clouds of smoke in the north the flames shot
ND but seldom. when they illuminated the river
for a second like a flash of lightning. Then all
was silent and dark. The boat was in mid
stream, and the banks could not be seen. 1t
could not have been more isolated. more alone,
in the open sea-
Whittier was Squambo bounda It i'm
portant for Zermah to know. To ask the Indian
would be useless: and so she tried to make out
the position for herself-not an easy thing to DO
in the darkness while Squambo kept in the mid
die of the ST. Johns The tide running in,
and. padded by the two blacks, the boat rapidly
sped to the south.
And would it not be wise for Zermah to leave
some traces Of her route, so as to help her mas
ter in her search7 But the river that
impossible. On land. rag torn from her man
tie and left on bush might be the beginning of
a trail which. once recovered, might follow to
the end But what would be the use Of entrust-
ing any thing to the stream9 Could it be hoped
that chance would bring it to James Burbanks
handsf The idea must be given up, and she
must content herself with ascertaining where
she landed.
An hour elapsed, and Squambo had not ut
tered word. The two slaves padded in silence.
No light appeared on the banks. neither in the
houses nor under the trees.
Zermah watched right and left, ready TO note
the least indication. and thinking onlyAof the
danger which threatened the girl. OF her own
danger she never thought; all her fears
concentrated the child. It was Texar who
had stolen her-of that there could be no doubt.
She had recognized the Spaniard. who had been
at Marine creek either with the in tention of en-
tering Castle House through the tunnel or wait
ing for the defenders when they attempted to
escape. II Texar had not been in such hurry,
Mrs. Burbank and Alice Stannard would now
have been in his power If he had not headed
the attack of the militia and rabple. it be-
cause he felt surer of securing the Burbank
family at Marine creek.
In any case, Texar could not deny that ne had
taken part in the seizure. Zermah had shouted
his name, and Mrs. Burbank and Alice must
have heard her. Later on. when the hour of JUS
tice came. when the Spaniard would have to
answer for his crimes, he would not on this occa-
sion be able to invoke one Of those inexplicable
alibis that had hitherto succeeded with him.
What fate had he in reserve for his victims?
Was he going TO Danish them to the marshy
Everglades beyond the source of the st. Johnsl
Did he look upon Zermah 9 dangerous wit
ness, whose evidence would one day ruin him9